Envelope opener



Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED KSTATES PATENT OFFICE ENVELOPE PENER` Andrew M. Lockett, New Orleans, La.

Application January 15, 1940, Serial No. 313,962

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an instrument for opening envelopes and cutting paper.

One object of my invention is to provide an envelope opener having a cutting element consisting of a safety-razor blade.

Another object of my invention lies in the special mounting of the razor blade so that it may be easily and promptly inserted in and removed from its holder While remaining positively locked in place while the opener is in use.

A further object of my invention consists in the use of a holder for the cutting element such that it may be readily insertible beneath the flap of an envelope and while the latter is held on a table the opener may be pushed through in one stroke.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a device for the purposes herein described which will be light in weight, reliable in operation and of low cost of production.

The above and other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description appended hereto and more particularly set forth in the claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is an enlarged front elevation of my improved device;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a partial elevation of the device with the cutting element displaced from its normal position; and

Figure 4 is a cross-section on line l4--Il of Figure 1.

My envelope opener comprises, broadly, three parts, i. e., the one-piece body I, the receptacle 2 and the cutting blade 3. The body I has a straight portion I' beginning with a sharp end 4 and extending to a point 5; then it is bent or ollset in a short portion 6 and then terminates in a long handle 1 also offset from the above mentioned straight portion but to a lesser angle than the short portion 6. Intermediate its ends the straight portion I' has a depressed or cutin curved edge 8 for a purpose which will appear later.

The receptacle 2 comprises a generally rec-` tangular plate having an indented, stamped or pressed portion 9 for the purpose of providing a retaining shoulder or ledge ID. The receptacle 2 is secured to the straight portion I' of the body I by suitable means such as rivets II and it will be seen that one edge of the receptacle is cut away as at I2 along a curve similar to and cooperating with curve 8 of the body.

As shown in Figure 4, the container 2 'and the body l provide a niche within which the cutting blade 3 is housed, the t of the blade within its housing being snug and just suicient to hold the blade in position but still not so tight as to prevent the easy removal and reinsertion of another blade.

It will be evident that either new or discarded safety-razor blades may be used in my envelope opener and paper cutter but itis preferable, though not necessary, that such blades be used as have one cutting edge and an Opposite, noncutting and thicker edge, so that it can better be retained between the container 2 and the body l of the envelope opener. l

In use, the envelope to be opened is laid flat on a table, the point 4 of the opener is inserted beneath the flap andthe opener blade 3 is pushed through, cutting the aps folded edge at one stroke. It is important to note that while the opener is operated as described, the handle thereof is held through the clenched hand and, due to the offset ofthe said handle the knuckles are left ample room so that they will not come in contact with thev table.

The material composing both the body and the container is, preferably, aluminum or any other metal. The metallic walls of the container 2 are, therefore, resilient and help to retain the blade in its operative position. It will be understood, however, that any other substance such as Bakelite or anyother material may be chosen.

The handle 1, due to its relatively large size and substantial width, may also be used to carry the name of the maker as well as any suitable advertising legend or design.

It will be realized that the materials composing my device are of very low cost and that the labor to assemble the parts, grind and polish them, is equally nominal. v

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An envelope opener comprising a blade-carrying portion, said portion having a concave edge, a container secured to said blade-carrying portion and having a concave edge corresponding to the concave edge on the blade-carrying portion, a flat removable blade insertible and held in and between said container and said bladecarrying portion in flat condition, said blade having its cutting edge protruding beyond said concave edges, said blade being removable by a straight pull away from the container, and a handle depending and angularly offset from said blade-carrying portion.

2. An envelope opener comprising a blade-carrying portion, a perforating portion at one end thereof, a handle portionl at the other end thereof, said handle portion being angularly offset from said blade-carrying portion, a container secured to said blade-carrying portion, said bladecarrying portion and said container having c0- operating and corresponding concave edges, and a at removable blade insertible and held in and between said container and blade-carrying portion in flat condition and having a cutting edge Aextending beyond said concave edges, said blade being removable by a straight pull away from the container.

3. An envelope opener comprising la blade car-v.

:straight pull away from said container.

ANDREW M. LOCKETT. 

